A police officer has been charged with assaulting a female protester during anti-G20 demonstrations in London earlier this year.
Sergeant Delroy Smellie is accused of beating a woman during the protests in the City of London on April 2nd as the leaders of the G20 nations gathered for an economic summit.
An investigation was launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) watchdog after video footage came to light of an officer allegedly striking Nicola Fisher.
"The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Police Sergeant Delroy Smellie with the offence of assault by beating of Nicola Fisher," a CPS spokesman said.
Sgt Smellie will appear before magistrates in November.
The Metropolitan Police said it took allegations against its staff very seriously but it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific case. "Every officer is accountable under law and fully aware of the scrutiny that their actions can be held open to. The decision to use force is made by the individual police officer, and they must account for that."
Violent confrontations between anti-capitalist demonstrators, environmental campaigners and riot officers broke out during protests in April. It led to hundreds of complaints about officers' behaviour, including accusations of brutality.
Newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson (47), died after he was caught up in a demonstration outside the Bank of England on April 1st while a 23-year-old woman claimed she might have miscarried after being kicked and pushed by officers.
Prosecutors are still considering whether to charge another officer with manslaughter over Mr Tomlinson's death.
The IPCC has called for immediate changes to the policing of protests while a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary concluded that the police's public order tactics were "inadequate".
Reuters